Migraines & headaches decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, a lumbar spine disability, depression (secondary to PTSD), a benign growth of the lung, migraine headaches, and lung cancer. The evidence did not establish a link between any of these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for migraine headaches with transient visual disturbance was granted effective March 15, 2010. The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's notice of disagreement with respect to higher disability ratings for migraine headaches and traumatic brain injury residuals was untimely filed, thus denying these claims.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and a psychiatric disability in August 1986. The Veteran filed a claim to reopen in May 2009, when he was diagnosed with TBI. The effective date of the grant of service connection for TBI is set at May 15, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for migraine headaches has been withdrawn by his representative.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD and denied service connection for this condition. The TBI with tension type headaches was rated as 10 percent disabling, but the Veteran's appeal of the initial rating is a downstream matter following the initial assignment of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Regarding service connection for headaches, secondary to diabetes mellitus, PTSD, or hypertension, there is insufficient evidence to support such a finding.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and chronic fatigue syndrome are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations by an examiner who has not previously examined him.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and clarifying whether the Veteran is receiving Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, residuals of a stroke, and headaches. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has noted that additional evidence was submitted during a July 2014 Travel Board hearing and has requested its association with the electronic claims file. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and headaches, as well as his request to connect tuberculosis residuals to service, is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional treatment records and to determine the current severity of his service-connected vascular headaches, as well as whether he is unemployable due to these disabilities. The case will also be referred to VA's Director of Compensation and Pension for consideration of a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. � 4.16(b) if appropriate.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to establish the Veteran's service connection claims, including verifying his deployment and exposure to potential hazards during service.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disorder and a left Achilles tendon disorder, finding no in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's current complaints are not related to his military service.,Service connection was granted for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), found to be due to undiagnosed illness during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a third Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and clarifying whether the Veteran is requesting increased ratings or effective date changes.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor are they secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent effective from April 15, 2014. The RO also granted an initial compensable rating for tension headaches and denied the remaining issues on appeal.

The Board granted service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, left knee injury, hypertension, and residuals of frostbite of the left great toe. The Veteran's other claims were also addressed.